Artvin is an authentic tourism place that contains various tourism values with festivals, traditional architecture, historical churches, fauna and flora riches, castles and arched bridges, green plateaus, black roses, crater lakes placed at highs of mountains, natural virgin forests, mountains heights to 3900 meter arrange order by following each other. The perpendicular sloped long valleys and Çoruh river divide province in two parts.
How to Get
Artvin is reachable by road from every where of Türkiye.
Coach Station Tel : +90 (466) 5114949
Port Tel : (+90-466) 351 40 67
Where to Visit
Castles
Şavşat (Satel) Castle: The castle placed at Söğütlü Quarter, in Şavşat County, was built by Bagratlı Kingdom in the 9th century, it is also used by Ottomans too. Today castle is abandoned but still most parts of high tower and rampart walls remain.
Artvin Castle (Livane) it is tied to main rock 70 meter above the river base opposite of Artvin Bridge that on the Çoruh River. Castle built by Bagratlı Kingdom in the middle of 10th century. It takes attention with high tower.
Ardanuç (Guhernik) Castle It is placed at Ardanuç county, in Adakale area. Castle that one of the most important castles of region, premium sample with it’s interior castle and city formation surrounded by city walls. It takes attention with inscription of Kanuni Sultan Süleyman (Great Suleyman) beside the ruins dated to ancient periods.
Mosques, Tombs and Public Baths
Sahilbey Cami ve Türbeleri , İskender Paşa Cami-Türbeleri,Ortacalar Merkez Cami, Muratlı Cami, Sugören Cami, Esenköy Cami, Kocabey Cami, Demirkent Cami, Zeytinlik Türbeleri, Artvin Şehir Hamamı en önemlileridir.
Churchs
Hamamlı Church (Center): It is in the Hamamlı village of Artvin province. The church is 32 km. from the city center, was constructed by Sembat I from Baghdad in between 923 and 958. It has an impressive architecture with its embroidered “sundial” which had maintained its characteristic on its door till today.
Barhal Church (Altıparmak Church, Yusufeli): It is within the Altıparmak village, which is 12 km. away from north west of Yusufeli district. It is used as a mosque today and still protects its historical characteristic.
İşhan Church (Yusufeli): It is 11 km. east from Yusufeli district, and in Dağyolu (İşhan) village. The mosque which was previously constructed as a church in 1008 was converted into a mosque by Ottomans in 1549. Relief illustrating the challenge of a dragon and a lion among the adornments on window borders is interesting. Church with a conical structure still preservs its original structure.
Cevizli Church (Şavşat): It is 6 km. from north east of Şavşat province, in Cevizli village. It was constructed between 899 and 914 by one of the governors of Bagratlı, Aşut Kukh. Grave of Aşut Kukh is adjacent to this church. A Georgian structure, Cevizli Church’s external face was adorned with columns and relieves. There is a relief of Jesus Christ on the north windows. Ram head relieves in the church and ram head statues on its ceiling is showing that Bagrats are fond of Huns for whom ram is deemed as holy.
Köprülü Bridge (Şavşat): It is 7 km from north west of Şavşat province and in Köprülü village. It is thought that this is considered as the center of the churches within the region. Only the remnants of the church constructed by Zortana,one of the rulers of Kıpçaklı has erected today.
Fountains and Bridges
Çelebi Efendi Fountain It is at Orta quarter depended to Artvin Center. The fountain was built by Çelebi Efendi whom was steward of Asma Sultan in 1783 (H. 1197). Only some part of the building survived to present day. Fountain included to classical Ottoman buildings.
Berta Bridge It is on the Şavşat county road which depended to Artvin City. Building survives healthy to present time.
Ortacalar Çifte (double) The bridge is at the cross section of Anlı and Küçükköy villages roads, and 25 kilometer towards the Artvin, Ortacalar County.
Formed from two bridges to cross each other perpendicular. Both survived to present.
National Parks and Protection Places
Artvin – Karagöl National Park
NATIONAL PARKS
Location: The park is situated within the borders of Savsat and Artvin provinces, and is spread over the plateaus of Karagol and Sahara.
Transportation: By road, the old Georgian town of Savsat is 45km south of Karagol, and 17km from Sahara.
Highlights: The area around Karagol is Paleocene or neocene and is separated by valleys, with cracks causing landslides, and dense forests with spruce trees and pines. The area at the northeast of the lake, around Bagat, is good for grass-skiing.
The Sahara Plateau has a geological structure formed by the basalt cover of the region. The ground in this area breaks easily, which causes the slope to increase. The forests here have spruce and fir trees, and Scotch pines in the lower regions.
The area around the Kocabey Plateau has plant species from the Alpine zone. Around the River Resat, at an altitude of 1800m, there is a Pancar (beetroot) festival every year during which many visitors come to participate, which in turn gives a significant economic boost to the area.
In order to protect the natural beauty of the area, National Park status was granted to 3766 hectares in 1994.
Facilities: In the Karagol area, there is a lodge providing accommodation for 12 people.
Artvin – Hatila Valley National Park
NATIONAL PARKS
Location: Hatila Valley is a branch of the River Coruh, in the province of Artvin.
Transportation: Transport to the park is via a 10km road from the centre of Artvin.
Highlights: The valley is v-shaped, narrow based, with inclination cracks which cause the waterfalls. There are parts of the valley where the slopes are almost vertical. The vegetation is rich and dense in the middle and upper regions, with over 500 species of plants, reflecting the Mediterranean characteristics.
The wide variety of fauna in the Halita valley includes bears, pigs, foxes, badgers, wild goats, sparrow hawks, eagles, jackals, vipers and trout. It has geographical characteristics quite unique to Turkey, caused by its unusual geological and geomorphologic structure that has helped to create the beautiful landscape.
Facilities: It is possible to stay in the park, either in tents, caravans, or bungalows, or use Artvin as a base for accommodation.
Artvin – Efeler Nature Reserve
Location: The park is near Camili, near the Georgian border, and 50km northeast of Borcka, in the district of Artvin in the Eastern Black Sea province.
Transportation: The park is accessible via Borcka, and Artvin which is connected by a good bus service. The nearest airport is at Kars.
Highlights: The Camili-Efeler Forest is the most untouched forest ecosystem in Turkey and Europe. There are many species of trees including beech, fir, spruce, horn-beam, chestnut and alder, plus certain types of oak. The river basin in the area is on the migration route of birds of prey.
Artvin – Gorgit Nature Reserve
Location: The park is near Camili, near the Georgian border, and 50km from Borcka, in the district of Artvin in the Eastern Black Sea province.
Transportation: The park is accessible via Borcka, and Artvin, which is connected by a good bus service. The nearest airport is at Kars.
Highlights: The Camili-Gorgit forest has many very old and huge trees, including species of fir, spruce, beech, horn-beam and alder. The river basin in the area is on the migration route of many species of birds of prey.
Natural Beauties
Forests:Maçahel, Papart, Otingo and Yalnızçam Forests, are valuable enough to visit with their rich flora formation and monumental trees..
Güngörmez Rivulet:Mystery about rivulet that springs from Yusufeli county Güngörmez Mountains, it starts flowing by beginning of night and stops flowing with rising of sun.
Çoruh Valley:Çoruh Valley that conserves olive tree, peanut pine and other plants survive at Mediterranean climate, is a place to be seen by it’s interesting geologic and geomorphologic structure.
Cehennem Rivulet Canyon:Cehennem Rivulet Canyon that is one of the special canyons in Turkey, takes attention by it’s interesting nature.
Meydancık (İmerhev):The county is valuable for seeing by its original wooden construction buildings.
Artvin Highlands
Yusufeli-Kaçkar Tourist Center- Highland Village
Transportation: This highland village is located 53 km west of Yusufeli. There is transportation provided by commercial vehicles on the 20 km. gravel road between Yusufeli and Sarıgöl. To make the trip down the 33 km dirt road from Sarıgöl to the village, you will need to rent a car. The campsite at Dilberdüzü can only be reached by a 10 km hike down a narrow path.
Description: Situated at 3200 m. the village has basic services such as a fountain, electricity and a health clinic as well as a small market, teahouse, restaurant, bakery and a butcher.
Yaylalar Village is a central stopping point for climbers going to Kaçkar Mountain. Provisions for the climb and pack animals to carry them may be rented here. The nearest campsite to Mt. Kaçkar is Dilberdüzü (3328 m.). There are no facilities at Dilberdüzü but the water is plentiful and ice-cold. It is dangerous to go beyond Dilberdüzü without a guide. Wildlife that can be seen in the area include lynx, bear, mountain goat, wolf, jackal and fox.
On the way to Yaylalar, in the village of Altıparmak is the Church of Altıparmak (Borhal), which is open to the public. There are also silk rugs woven in the village which can be bought.
Accommodation – Food and Drink: One can stay in Sarıgöl, where there are a number of bed and breakfast places as well as other services such as a post office, toilets and electricity. The village also has a small market, teahouse, bakery, restaurant and a butcher.
Kafkasör Tourist Center (Kafkasör Highland)
Transportation: Access to the village found 10 km southwest of Artvin is via a 10 km dirt road.
Description: The 1250 m. high village is gorgeous place well-worth visiting. Its infrastructure is completed and the municipal government has 10 bungalows with a 80 bed capacity. Every year in the last week of June there is a very festive 3-day bull-fighting competition, which is very popular with the locals. Three healing springs, Cıskaro, Yalnızhasan and Acısu are found in the area.
Accommodation – Food and Drink: If arrangements are made beforehand, it is possible to stay in the bungalows. Basic necessities should be brought in, however, though during the bull-fighting competition there are lots of stands selling food and drink.
Borçka-Karagöl
Transportation: Turn east onto a dirt road at the 27 km mark on the Borçka-Camili road, the first 7 km of which are asphalt. The village can be reached by following this road for 20 km.
Description: In the forest around the lake is an abundance of wildlife including lynx, bear, curly horned mountain goats, hazel grouse and birds of prey. There is also trout fishing in the lake. The infrastructure is not complete but there are toilets, picnic tables, a fountain and a Forest Service guest house.
Accommodation – Food and Drink: Bring your camping gear and other basic supplies.
Şavşat- Karagöl
Transportation: The 8-10 hectare Lake Karagöl is northeast of Şavşat and can be reached via a 30 km dirt road. You will need to have your own car to get there.
Description: There is electricity, a fountain, toilets and a building used by Forest Service personnel. There is an abundance of wildlife in the area.
Accommodation – Food and Drink: Bring your camping gear and other basic supplies.
Ardanuç-Babilan Highland
Transportation: You can reach this highland by taking a dirt road east from Ardanuç for 51 km.
Description: With no basic services other than a road and water, this mountain village has a bazaar every Saturday. In the bazaar they sell food and other basic supplies as well as animals in an auction. The whole event resembles a country fair.
Accommodation – Food and Drink: Bring your camping gear and other basic supplies. You can buy food stuffs here on Saturday and Sunday.
Eastern Black Sea And Çoruh Basins
Akkuş Island
City: Ordu
Provinces: Perşembe
Surface Area: 2
Altitude: 0 – 20 m
Protection: N/A
Bird Species: It gains important bird areas status with tepeli karabatak (90 pairs) population.
Main Characteristics: rocky coastal islands
Eastern Black Sea Mountains
City: Trabzon, Gümüşhane, Bayburt, Rize, Erzurum, Artvin
Provinces: There are 32 provinces within important bird areas
Surface Area : 1.230.000
Altitude : 0 – 3932 m
Protection: partially
Bird Species: It gains important bird areas status with sakallı akbaba (20 pairs), kızıl akbaba (20 pairs), kara akbaba (10 pairs), kaya kartalı (10 pairs), huş tavuğu (all Turkey population is within these important bird areas) and ürkeklik populations. These important bird areas including seven regions had been investigated during a research performed in 1993, and a total of 134 mature male huş tavuğu had been determined within six of them. When narrowness of the researched area and wideness of appropriate life environments are considered, it can be deemed that total number of huş tavuğu population within important bird areas exceeds 1000 pairs. But, discover of various important new immigration valley recently is showing that these numbers can be much more than deemed. Due to representation of Eurasia High Mountainous (Alpine) biomes within Turkey by Eastern Black Sea Mountains, it is the only area which gained important bird areas status.
Main Characteristics: Forest, mountain, immigration pass
Sportive Activities
Rafting:Existence of best course for stream sports on Çoruh River that divide region two parts by flowing south to north, after Zambezi and Biobio Rivers, makes province attractive for streaming water sports. Moreover there are ideal courses for water sports on Barhal Rivulet that spring from Kaçkar Mountains and important subdivision of Çoruh River. Rafting, katamaran and canoe sports can make between june – October months at Çoruh River and Barhal Rivulet. Moreover 4th world streaming sports championship made at Çoruh River in 1993.
Çoruh River
Barhal Rivulet
Tracking and Nature Walking:There are the most suitable courses for nature tracking of Türkiye at Kaçkarlar that highest mountain series of east black sea. Mountaineering groups and mountaineers whom come to region, complete Trans – Kaçkar tracking by walking trough Yusufeli Yaylalar Village to Rize – Çamlıhemşin Ayder Plateau. Moreover thare are suitable tracing courses at other mountains of regions Altıparmak Mountains.
Hunting:Places Province that most of the areas cover mountainous and broken places, has suitable places for hunting. Especially mountain Goth, bear, wolf, fox and naruel touth are important game animals of region.
Don’t Leave Without
- Traveling Borçka Karagöller lakes and Camili Region
- Rafting at Çoruh, tracking at Kaçkar mountains,
- Watching bullfight at Kafkas plateau,
- Eating Puçuko,
Contact Information
ARTVİN
CONTACT INFORMATION
Provincial Cultural Directorate
Tel: (466) 212 25 07
Fax: (466) 212 16 43
Governorship : (+90-466) 212 11 17
Municipality : (+90-466) 312 29 53
Hospital : (+90-466) 212 34 23 – 212 35 75
Police : (+90-466) 312 49 52
Gendarme : (+90-466) 611 25 01
Provincial Directorate : (+90-466) 212 34 23 – 212 35 75
Tourism Information Office : (+90-466) 212 30 71
Provincial Culture Directorate : (+90-466) 212 25 07